Saab is going to show a soft-top version of an earlier concept car at the 2008 Paris Auto Show. Dubbed the Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept, it offers a look as the future of Swedish car design.

Featuring a unique Canopy Top and a wraparound glasshouse that includes the rear screen, it can seat four people.

Top down, the 9-X Air is designed to cut out wind buffeting, largely due to the glass surrounds. Top up, it is supposed to look like a “true” coupe.

The 9-X Air is powered by a prototype 1.4-litre Saab BioPower engine that offers 197 hp and the use of E85 bioethanol fuel alongside hybrid technology.

Incidentally, General Motors sent a dude over to my house to hand-deliver an informational CD about this car, so I believe it is an important enough car for Saab to warrant such attention.